Improved spring-catch for doors



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J. (LPLUMER, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.V

IMPROVED SPRING-CATCH FOR. DOORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 46,69 7, dated March 7, 1865.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J. C. PLUMER, of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, have invented a newY and useful improvement in spring-catches, to be used on doors, blinds, lids, and for other purposes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which Figure lvrepresents a view of my improved spring catch unapplied. Fig. 2 represents the metallic portion of my improvement; Fig. 3, the elastic portion of the same; Fig. 4, a horizontal section of Fig. 1 as applied. Fig. 5 represents Fig. 4 in operation. Figs. 6 and 7 represent modifications of Figs. 4 and 2.

The object of my invention is to produce a spring-catch, employing india-rubber for the spring, which may with facility' be applied to doors, blinds, lids, and for other purposes where such a mechanical device is required, and one which operates readily and effectively in anyand all directions.

My invention consists of a spx'ingcatch comprising an inelastic part and an elastic part or parts. The elastic portion is constructed of rubber, and the other of iron, brass-any metal or hard and enduring sub. stance-so arranged in reference to each other that the unyielding or inelastic portion ofthe catch shall be partially or entirely impacted within the 'yielding or elastic part or parts.

The part first described is represented by Fig. 3 in the accompanying drawings, and the second in Fig. 2 of the same.

Every catch which substitutes rubber for a metal spring must necessarily operate by means of the general elastic .property of the rubber. The difference in springs using such a means of imparting elasticity must consist in the different modes of application or the different kinds of elasticity employed-for example, one spring may operate by mea-ns of the expansive power of rubber when compressed, and another by its cohesive or contractile power when stretched. I am aware that snap-springs7 have been made in which a piece of rubber has been substituted for the spiral spring, but in such cases the rubber is impacted between and subjected to direct compression by the metallic4 portions, and the spring operates by means of that property in rubber which enables it to recover its form and size when compressed.

In my invention the spring or pJwer of the metallic part to recover its place when pushed aside by the catch, as in Fig. 5, is bestowed by the eXibility or bending properties of the rubber, as in Fig. 5. The flange A presses the rubber at one point on one side, while the ange B presses it on a corresponding point on the opposite side, thus calling into action both the powers of the rubber at the saine time.

In order to enable others skilled in the ait to make my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction.

I first construct the catch orbar with theA venient form embracing the anges A and B and the conical point. The spring-catch (represented in Fig. l) may then be attached to doors, blinds, lids, 8vo., or any other articles to which it is adapted, by a strap or staple, or by making a hole for its reception, as in Figs. 4 and 5, or by any mechanical contrivance.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The use of rubber in spring-catches when so arranged in reference to the inelastic portion of the catch as to partially or entirely encompass it, and operating by means of its flexibility or bending property in any or all directions.

2. The combination of the rubber with the catch, as described, substantially as and for Witnesses:

WILLIAM H. CLIEEORD, SEWALL C. STROUT. 

